Celtics rally to overcome Kings
Kyrie Irving had 31 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds and the Boston Celtics overcame a 17-point first-half deficit to beat the Sacramento Kings 126-120 on Thursday night.
It was Irving’s second career triple-double. His first was with Cleveland on Feb. 28, 2014, against Utah.
Jaylen Brown added 22 points, and Marcus Morris had with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
It was Boston’s second victory over Sacramento in eight days, and the Celtics’ fourth win in five games overall.
Buddy Hield led Sacramento with 34 points. The Kings lost for the 11th straight time in Boston.
RAPTORS 111, LAKERS 98
In Toronto, Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points, Norman Powell had 20 and Toronto beat Los Angeles.
LeBron James scored 29 points and Alex Caruso had a career-high 16 for Los Angeles. The struggling Lakers lost for the sixth time in seven games, further denting their fading playoff hopes.
Pascal Siakam scored 16 points and Marc Gasol added 15 to help Toronto win its ninth consecutive meeting with the Lakers, extending a franchise record. The Raptors also set a franchise record with their 20th victory of the season against a Western Conference opponent.
NUGGETS 100, MAVERICKS 99
In Denver, Nikola Jokic hit a falling one-handed shot as time expired to lift Denver over weary Dallas.
Jokic rescued Denver after the Nuggets trailed by 12 early in the fourth quarter. He finished with 11 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, hitting all four of his field goals in the fourth.
Luka Doncic led Dallas with 24 points. He had a go-ahead dunk with 5.8 seconds left, but Jokic topped it by leaning to his right and letting a shot go before the buzzer.
Paul Millsap finished with a season-high 33 points for the Nuggets (45-22), who strengthened their hold on the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference.
Jalen Brunson had 20 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 17 for the well-traveled Mavericks.
PACERS 108, TUNDER 106
In Indianapolis, Wesley Matthews tipped in a basket with 1.8 seconds left and Indiana overcame an 18-point deficit to beat Oklahoma City.
Domantas Sabonis scored 26 points against his former team, and the Pacers won their second straight by erasing the Thunder’s lead in the final 15 minutes. Indiana’s magic number for clinching a playoff spot is one.